KDFWR says don't feed the bears

Frankfort, Ky. – Black bear activity is on the rise as these animals have emerged from their wintering sites and are on the prowl for food.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources recently received complaints about bears from Lewis, Laurel, Pike, Floyd, Letcher, Harlan, and McCreary counties. The number of bear sightings in outlying counties will likely increase in the coming weeks as yearling bears leave their mothers and adult males wander great distances in search of mates.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife does not stock bears. Instead, bears are naturally reproducing here, while also spreading into Kentucky from neighboring states. Because many Kentuckians have not dealt with bears, department officials are working to educate the public about bear biology and how to avoid problems between these animals and humans.

Steven Dobey, black bear biologist for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, said bears become more noticeable at this time of year because the animals are trying to regain weight that was lost while denning. “Right now is the transition phase between winter and summer,” Dobey explained. “There are not a lot of nuts or berries out there, so bears are looking for food. In the wild, bears will eat other foods, such as grasses, and do just fine.”

Feeding bears is illegal in Kentucky. However, that hasn’t stopped some people. “This year, the incidence of people feeding bears is much more widespread,” Dobey said. “People should never feed bears. When you feed a bear, you’re teaching it that humans are a source of food. That will inevitably cause problems in the future.”

While leaving food scraps on a park picnic table to lure bears and their cubs close enough to photograph them may seem innocent enough to the person doing it, bears quickly learn to raid these areas and become a nuisance. Relocating a problem bear is not always a solution. In the worst cases, they must be euthanized.

Feeding bears unintentionally can cause similar problems. That’s where people can help keep Kentucky’s bears wild. In southeastern Kentucky, pet owners shouldn’t leave bowls of pet food outside or overnight. Instead, leave enough in the bowl for one meal. This will also reduce problems with nocturnal visits by other animals, such as coyotes, raccoons and opossums.

The most effective way people can help prevent problem bears is by waiting to put out their garbage until the day of pickup, rather than the night before. Otherwise, keep garbage in a secure shed or garage.

Campers also should be mindful of how they handle their food. In McCreary County, campers at Great Meadows have created problem bears by leaving food in fire pits instead of using the area’s bear-resistant garbage cans. “If you’re in a campground, store your food inside of your car or truck,” Dobey said. “Don’t leave it unattended on a picnic table or inside your tent.”

This is a good idea no matter where you camp in Kentucky, because it prevents other wildlife from raiding your food.

Bear cubs are now out with their mothers. Year-old bears, which can easily travel 10 miles a day in rough terrain, will soon be dispersing.

Enjoy bears, but enjoy them at a distance. Feeding bears is not only illegal in Kentucky, but it creates an unsafe situation for you, your neighbors, and the bear.

I would NOT Store any food in my car or truck. Bears can easily smell this food and enter the car by breaking the windows and or tearing though the doors and or glass.

It's better not to store food inside your vehicle.

It's best to hang the food up in the trees from a rope. Hang it where the bears can't reach it. Remember that black bears are good climbers. hang it at least 15 ft above the ground.

Don't store food inside your tents either.




[quote=Tim_T;295524]Frankfort, Ky. – Black bear activity is on the rise as these animals have emerged from their wintering sites and are on the prowl for food.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources recently received complaints about bears from Lewis, Laurel, Pike, Floyd, Letcher, Harlan, and McCreary counties. The number of bear sightings in outlying counties will likely increase in the coming weeks as yearling bears leave their mothers and adult males wander great distances in search of mates.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife does not stock bears. Instead, bears are naturally reproducing here, while also spreading into Kentucky from neighboring states. Because many Kentuckians have not dealt with bears, department officials are working to educate the public about bear biology and how to avoid problems between these animals and humans.

Steven Dobey, black bear biologist for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, said bears become more noticeable at this time of year because the animals are trying to regain weight that was lost while denning. “Right now is the transition phase between winter and summer,” Dobey explained. “There are not a lot of nuts or berries out there, so bears are looking for food. In the wild, bears will eat other foods, such as grasses, and do just fine.”

Feeding bears is illegal in Kentucky. However, that hasn’t stopped some people. “This year, the incidence of people feeding bears is much more widespread,” Dobey said. “People should never feed bears. When you feed a bear, you’re teaching it that humans are a source of food. That will inevitably cause problems in the future.”

While leaving food scraps on a park picnic table to lure bears and their cubs close enough to photograph them may seem innocent enough to the person doing it, bears quickly learn to raid these areas and become a nuisance. Relocating a problem bear is not always a solution. In the worst cases, they must be euthanized.

Feeding bears unintentionally can cause similar problems. That’s where people can help keep Kentucky’s bears wild. In southeastern Kentucky, pet owners shouldn’t leave bowls of pet food outside or overnight. Instead, leave enough in the bowl for one meal. This will also reduce problems with nocturnal visits by other animals, such as coyotes, raccoons and opossums.

The most effective way people can help prevent problem bears is by waiting to put out their garbage until the day of pickup, rather than the night before. Otherwise, keep garbage in a secure shed or garage.

Campers also should be mindful of how they handle their food. In McCreary County, campers at Great Meadows have created problem bears by leaving food in fire pits instead of using the area’s bear-resistant garbage cans. “If you’re in a campground, store your food inside of your car or truck,” Dobey said. “Don’t leave it unattended on a picnic table or inside your tent.”

This is a good idea no matter where you camp in Kentucky, because it prevents other wildlife from raiding your food.

Bear cubs are now out with their mothers. Year-old bears, which can easily travel 10 miles a day in rough terrain, will soon be dispersing.

Enjoy bears, but enjoy them at a distance. Feeding bears is not only illegal in Kentucky, but it creates an unsafe situation for you, your neighbors, and the bear.[/quote]